Method and system for arranging and storing clothing

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 61/312,930, filed on Mar. 11, 2010, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clothing folding apparatus. The present invention further relates to a system for folding and storing clothing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothing, whether stored on a shelf, in a closet, drawer, storage bin, suitcase or other container can be time consuming to arrange on the shelf or in the container in a neat manner. And even if arranged in a neat manner, it is difficult to maintain the clothing in a neat state. Items of clothing stored using conventional containers, or means of arranging clothing in the containers, can over time result in the stored clothing becoming messy, especially through removal of one or more items of clothing from the remaining stored items of clothing. This creates the need to reorganize the clothing, or otherwise it becomes more time consuming to locate specific items of clothing, and also the clothing that may have become disorganized can wrinkle. This can contribute to the need to re-launder or dry clean clothes or spend time or money pressing or steaming clothing. With certain, more fragile items of clothing, conventional clothing arranging and storing technologies can even result in damage to the clothing.

Another important consideration is space. In many residences, there is a need to optimize the use of storage space. This can help avoid the need to rent storage space for storing surplus and off-season items, which is a growing trend particularly in urban areas where space is at a premium. This leads to the No, this additional cost of renting the storage space and the significant time investment in organizing items both at the residence and at the storage space, and the trips between the storage space and the residence.

Conventional methods of arranging and storing method can be improved on to better utilize and improve access to available storage space. There is a need for a system and method that enables individuals to make better use of their existing storage space.

Using prior art systems and methods, individuals who organize their closets with a significant number of items of clothing can find it difficult to find particular items. When they are locating specific items of clothing they may disturb the organization of the items. This creates a need to re-organize the items of clothing which is time consuming.

Also, there is a growing demand for the “hotel aesthetic” in residences, including in closets for example, i.e. the sleek, modern, uncluttered look. The prior art systems and methods do not provide a cost effective and easy to use system and method for achieving and maintaining these objectives.

Certain prior art clothing folding and packing technologies are known.

For example, UK Patent Application No. 2,452,245 discloses a clothing folding and packing apparatus that is designed to enable clothing to be folded down the middle of clothing.

Another folding technology is disclosed in EP 0 7656617 A2, entitled “Frames for Packaging Articles”.

U.S. patent Publication Ser. No. 12/440,356 discloses a relatively complex clothing folding and packing apparatus.

There is a need therefore for an improved method of folding clothing, and arranging and storing folded clothing that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture. There is also need for a low cost folding guide that enables clothing, once folded, to remain in a folded state.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the invention, a clothing folding system is provided comprising: one or more folding guides comprising: two or more sections or panels of substantially rigid material, and an intermediate area or web disposed between any two of the two or more sections of substantially rigid material, enabling the folding guide to be folded along the length of the intermediate area or web; wherein the one or more folding guides are sized so as to enable each folding guide to be used to place the folding guide in contact with an article of clothing, folding the article of clothing in a folding pattern defined by folding each intermediate area or web of the folding guide, wherein the folding guide remains folded within the article of clothing; and wherein the folding of multiple articles of clothing using the folding guides presents a plurality of articles of clothing that are substantially consistent in shape and size in their folded state, and such folded articles of clothing thereby are suitable to be stored in an organized arrangement.

In a particular aspect of the invention, the intermediate area is presented by a flexible web disposed between any two of the sections or panels.

In another aspect of the invention, a folding guide is provided comprising: two or more sections of substantially rigid material; and an intermediate area or web disposed between any two of the two or more sections or panels of substantially rigid material, enabling the folding guide to be folded along the length of the intermediate area or web; wherein the one or more folding guides are sized so as to enable each folding guide to be used to place the folding guide such that it is contact with an article of clothing, folding the article of clothing in a folding pattern defined by folding each flexible web of the folding guide, wherein the folding guide remains folded within the article of clothing; and wherein the folding of multiple articles of clothing with the assistance of the folding guides presents a plurality of articles of clothing that are substantially consistent in shape and size in their folded state, and such folded articles of clothing thereby are suitable to be stored in an organized arrangement.

In a still other aspect of the invention a folding method is provided comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of folding guides that comprise two or more sections or panels of substantially rigid material, and an intermediate area or web disposed between any two of the two or more sections of substantially rigid material, enabling the folding guide to be folded along the length of the intermediate area or web; (b) placing the folding guide in contact with a first article of clothing, folding the article of clothing with the assistance of the folding guide to achieve a folding pattern defined by folding each intermediate area or web of the folding guide, wherein the folding guide remains folded within the article of clothing; (c) repeating step (b) for the remaining articles of clothing so as to present the plurality of articles of clothing such that in their folded state they have a substantially consistent shape and size; and (d) arranging the plurality of folded articles of clothing into an organized arrangement.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing folding guide of the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a side perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing folding guide of the present invention, partially folded in.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a further side perspective view of one embodiment of the clothing folding guide of the present invention, showing the first panel folded into the second middle panel and the third panel also folded into the second middle panel.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is partial perspective view illustrating a bendable portion of the clothing folding guide.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a top plan view of the clothing folding guide of the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an exploded view of the clothing folding guide of the present invention, in one particular embodiment thereof.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7</figref><i>a </i>through to <b>7</b><i>g </i>illustrate the clothing folding method of the present invention, using the clothing folding apparatus of the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> is a perspective view illustrating an article of clothing folded with the folding guide.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9</figref><i>a </i>and <b>9</b><i>b </i>illustrate particular embodiments of the present invention, showing the definition of the intermediate area or web on a single piece of material that forms the folding guide, indentation and scoring respectively.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the vertical placement of articles of clothing including the folding guides, placed in a standard drawer.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates the vertical placement of articles of clothing including the folding guides, placed in a suitcase.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12</figref><i>a </i>and <b>12</b><i>b </i>illustrate the way in which the present invention enables better utilization of existing storage space, and provides better visibility of stored items using the present invention.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides a clothing folding and storage system for improved storage of items of clothing. The clothing folding system includes a folding guide apparatus (<b>10</b>) or folding guide, and a series of steps for using the folding guide (<b>10</b>) to fold at least one clothing item, providing the folding method of the present invention. In one aspect of the invention, the item of clothing is folded around the folding guide (<b>10</b>), in accordance with the folding method of the present invention (explained below). Accordingly, with the present invention the item of clothing is stored with the folding guide apparatus folded within the item of clothing. This enables the item of clothing to maintain its folded position, and also that the material of the clothing continue to envelop the folding guide such that the clothing is maintained relatively wrinkle free in part because the material of most clothing tends to form around the sections or panels of the folding guide, as explained below, and by folding in accordance with the method of the invention maintain its position relative to the folding guide because of friction between the fabric of the clothing and the surfaces of the sections or panels. The present invention contemplates the use of materials or surface features that provide friction that is operable to provide this feature, which may depend on the nature of the fabric in part to avoid damage. This aspect assists in maintaining the ready to wear condition of clothing stored using the folding system.

The folding system, as explained below, may also include bags, boxes, hanging organizers, or other containers sized to receive one or more items folded using the folding guides.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> shows a perspective view of the folding guide (<b>10</b>), in one embodiment thereof. The folding guide (<b>10</b>) includes at least two sections or panels (<b>12</b>). In the embodiment of the folding guide (<b>10</b>) shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, three sections (<b>12</b>) are shown. Each section (<b>12</b>) is provided such that it is rigid or semi-rigid so as to be operable to maintain the fabric that is disposed adjacent to the surface of the section (<b>12</b>) in a flat position to prevent or reduce wrinkling, once the item of clothing is folded using the folding guide (<b>10</b>). Each section (<b>12</b>) defines a surface. The surface preferably includes or consists of a material that is effective to create friction between the section (<b>12</b>) in the mentioned fabric. This friction helps maintain the fabric in place relative to the surface, once the clothing item has been folded around the folding guide (<b>10</b>), in accordance with the method of the present invention.

In accordance with the folding method, in one aspect thereof, depending on the item of clothing or the fabric, the fabric may be folded over the folding guide (<b>10</b>) such that the fabric is formed around the folding guide so as to smooth the fabric and then maintain it in such smoothed position based on friction between the fabric and the material of the folding guide. It should be understood that certain fabric can be damaged when stretched, and so use of the folding guide (<b>10</b>) should avoid such damage by avoiding unnecessary or damaging stretching. Furthermore the friction referred to above is selected so as not to damage even relatively fragile fabric.

Disposed between any two adjacent sections (<b>12</b>) is a intermediate area or flexible area (<b>14</b>) or web that connects the adjacent sections (<b>12</b>). The web (<b>14</b>) is disposed so as to be relatively easy to bend so as to enable the use of the folding guide (<b>10</b>) in accordance with the method of the present invention, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> and <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> for example. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is partial view that shows the features of the web.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is a top plan view of the clothing folding guide of the present invention.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an exploded view of a particular embodiment of the folding guide (<b>10</b>), showing a possible internal structure of the folding guide (<b>10</b>) for providing the rigid sections (<b>12</b>) and the flexible webs (<b>14</b>). As shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, disposed in the interior of the folding guide (<b>10</b>) is a first rigid or semi-rigid panel and second rigid or semi-rigid panel, each of these corresponding to a section (<b>12</b>). For the web (<b>14</b>), a series of strips of rigid or semi-rigid material may be used. These components may then be fixed between two pieces of material sized to conform to the shape of the folding guide (<b>10</b>). These layers may be affixed to one another by stitching, stapling or other means of affixing, such as using a suitable adhesive, for example, so as to adhere the panels, strips, and two pieces of material, to form the folding guide (<b>12</b>). Contrast stitching may be used for example for decorative purposes.

It should be understood that other means of providing the sections (<b>12</b>) and means for bending between the sections (<b>12</b>), which in this embodiment are provided by means of the webs (<b>14</b>).

In a particular embodiment of the present invention the panels and strips are formed of cardboard having a suitable thickness. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the folding guide is approximately 1.5 mms in thickness.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7</figref><i>a </i>to <b>7</b><i>f </i>illustrate the method of the present invention, in one aspect thereof.

It should be noted that the system of the present invention comprises one or more folding guides of different sizes accommodating different items of clothing or items of clothing of different sizes. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7</figref><i>a </i>to <b>7</b><i>f </i>illustrate the folding of a t-shirt using the folding guide (<b>10</b>). A folding guide (<b>10</b>) of the same size can be used to fold dress shirts. Smaller folding guides (<b>10</b>) can be used for example to fold underwear or children's clothing for example, and larger folding guides (<b>10</b>) can be used for example for fabric and linens mentioned below, or for ties and scarves.

In one aspect of the invention, the folding guide (<b>10</b>) and related folding method enable a one or more items of clothing to be folded such that in their folded form they have a consistent shape and size, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>g </i>for example. The present invention, in one aspect thereof, involves arranging the folded items, adjacent to one another, in a general vertical orientation, optionally in a box or container or some other means for maintaining the items in such general vertical orientation. This enables one or more items of clothing folded using the folding guide apparatus to be arranged within a receptacle, such as a bin or other container, drawer, or suitcase, as further illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>g</i>. The receptacle can receive a larger number of items of clothing, folded in accordance with the method of the present invention in a more consistent and neat manner, than would normally be the case. This provides more efficient use of space, and the storage of items of clothing in a compact way that ensures that they remain wrinkle free.

It should be understood that, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, that the folding guide is designed so that when an article of clothing is folded using the folding guide, the folded article of clothing with the folding guide folded within the article of clothing, tends to be self-supporting. Consequently, clothing folded using the folding guide of the present invention may be organized on shelves in a way that enables the placement of the articles of clothing vertically in an organized and compact way.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9</figref><i>a </i>and <b>9</b><i>b </i>illustrate particular embodiments of the present invention, showing the definition of the intermediate area or web on a single piece of material that forms the folding guide, indentation and scoring respectively. The treatment of the material in this way enables the formation of the intermediate areas or flexible webs, while conveniently enabling the use of a single piece of material.

The present invention contemplates the use of bags, boxes or other containers, sized to store particular number of items of clothing, folded in accordance with the present invention. An example of a box in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref><i>g</i>. Such a box can be stored on a shelf for example, or in a drawer. The bag, box or container, sized for use as part of the system of the present invention, in a drawer for example can provide some structure that supports a plurality of folded shirts (for example) using the folding guide of the present invention. Inserts for suitcases are also contemplated, or in fact suitcase can be designed to receive items of clothing folded in accordance of the present invention. The containers or inserts for suitcases can be made of a variety of materials for example a fabric, arranged for the box or container to generally maintain its shape. The present invention also contemplates providing a variety of sizes and shapes of boxes, with a customer being given the option to order from a variety of sizes or boxes, shapes of boxes, colour etc., via a website or otherwise. The boxes can be made with or without a top portion, for example, a lid that can be fastened (for example using a ZIPPER™) to keep dust or odours from entering the box.

The boxes for example that are part of the system of the present invention, may include a pocket or insert for receiving labelling, for example to indicate the contents of the box.

In one particular aspect of the present invention, the system consists of one or more containers, specifically sized to store one or more items of clothing folded using the folding guide, with the folding guide disposed within such items of clothing, the items of clothing fitted within the one or more containers. The containers can be of different sizes, suited to store items of clothing of different sizes when folded, and organized in different arrangements within the containers. The system may include a specific number of folding guides, possibly of different sizes. The system may be accompanied with a guide to suggest the folding method, and also optimal arrangements of folded clothing within the containers, and different uses of the containers and folding guides for folding and storing different types of clothing. The present invention contemplates the creation of one or more guides or FAQs covering the use of the system, and the various aspects of the folding method, which can be distributed in print form, electronically on a storage medium accompanying the containers and folding guides, or which can be made available electronically via an Internet network.

It should be understood that modifications to the present invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, instead of using a web, the thickness of the material used in forming the folding guide (<b>10</b>) can be modified so that it is thinner and easier to bend in the areas disposed between the sections (<b>12</b>). Different fabrics can be used for the two pieces of materials, for example, design fabric, fabric containing licensed material, etc. The present invention can be used to fold any items of clothing where it would be desirable to fold them uniformly, and consequently enable storage in an efficient and neat manner, and making it easier to see and retrieve items stored in accordance with the present invention. The number of sections can be altered, adding more sections as many times as it is desirable to fold particular items of clothing.

The folding guide can be used, or a modified version that incorporates the elements and functionality described to provide a folding guide that acts as a pant folder, folder for fabrics, linens (whether towels, table linens, bed linens) etc. It should be understood that the web (<b>14</b>) is generally sized to conform to the thickness of the article made of fabric that is folded using the folding guide. For example, the folding guide (<b>10</b>) for towels or fabric will generally have a wider web (<b>14</b>) to accommodate the larger bend or curve of the fabric that will be present after the towel or fabric has been folded.

Folding of items of clothing in accordance with the present invention, and storing of the clothing in an organized and compressed form can result in saving 20-30% of space, in part because of the uniform size. The items of clothing or articles of fabric, organized using the present invention, and placed in a container as described above can be placed on higher shelves or further back on deeper shelves, thereby providing better use of such space while still making it relatively easy to access the stored items without the need to re-organize items when one or more of the items are removed, as explained above.

The present invention presents the opportunity to avoid the cost and time involved in accessing storage space and the back and forth trips between the residence and the storage space. The present invention also enables much more efficient retrieval of items and less need to re-organize remaining items after one or more of them have been retrieved. The folded items, in accordance with the present invention, enable an individual to easily see and feel what the folded items are, making searching for items much easier.

Use of the present invention provides a far more organized visual impression for stored items, resulting in satisfaction from the greater visual order and reduction in frustration that normally results from seeing chaotically stored items or trying to access specific items using prior art technologies.

The present invention contemplates the use of ancillary items such as for example collar pieces to maintain a shirt collar in place. The collar piece may consist of a semi-rigid band that is sized to fit under the collar and which can be attached at its ends to form a loop around the collar.

It is contemplated that instructions may be printed on one or more panels of the folding guide (<b>10</b>). The folding guide could be scented, and could include an anti-humidity layer.

The present invention, with the items arranged in a container as described above enables the better utilization of storage space (for example higher shelves, or back portions of shelves) while still ensuring that items are relatively easy to access.

It is noted that the system, apparatus, and method of the present invention improves the transportation of clothing and other items made of fabric by enabling these items to be maintained in a neatly folded state. For example, a container in accordance with the present invention, sized to fit within a suitcase or gym bag, receives one or more items folded using the folding guides, can be transported inside the suitcase or gym bag. For business travellers especially, this enables items that would otherwise require pressing or ironing to be kept in a neat state where such ironing or pressing is no longer required.

As a specific feature of the folding guides (<b>10</b>) of the present invention, the edges may be rounded, as shown in the Figs., in order to help avoid creases.

It should be understood that to organize a defined list of clothing items, it may by useful to use a range of folding guides of different sizes, and particular numbers of folding guides of specific size. The present invention contemplates the use of a calculator that, based on input regarding the clothing items, suggests possible arrangements of the clothing/folding guides for efficient storage configuration of the clothing using particular numbers and sizes of folding guides of the present invention. The calculator may be implemented using a web application component, and may be used to deliver the calculation functionality via operation of an associated website. The web application component may be implemented as part of a web application or computer program, provided in a manner known to those skilled in the art, and loaded onto or provided to a web server. A user may enter the number of clothing items in specific categories; and particular aspects of the storage space available. The calculator is operable to calculate the number of different items of the folding system to organize the specific clothing items, which may be included in an online order.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> illustrates the vertical placement of articles of clothing including the folding guides, placed in a standard drawer. As explained above, the present invention enables the vertical placement of articles of clothing, which provides efficient use of the storage space and access to individual articles of clothing in a way that the remaining articles of clothing remain in place.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> illustrates the vertical placement of articles of clothing including the folding guides, placed in a suitcase. The use of the present invention in suitcases also enables ready access to items of clothing. The items of clothing, placed vertically, can be removed from the suitcase without significant disturbance of the other items, thereby obviating the need to re-organize the other items after removal of one or more items.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12</figref><i>a </i>and <b>12</b><i>b </i>illustrate the way in which the present invention enables better utilization of existing storage space, and also provide increased visibility of clothing inventory. <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref><i>b </i>illustrates the prior art approach, and shows that in most drawers for example, based on their dimensions, and the size of clothing such as shirts, these items are folded in two such that the back portion shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref><i>b </i>remains unused. In contrast, <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref><i>a </i>shows that the vertical placement of items of clothing, for example in a drawer, enables the arrangement of the items of clothing in a more efficient manner. The drawer used for this comparison is a standard drawer (from one of the most popular Ikea dressers) with the following interior measurements—width: 28″, depth 16¾″, height 6¼″. Using the folding guides of the present invention, 34 tops may be stored in such a standard drawer, as shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref><i>a</i>. Using the traditional folding and arrangement method shown in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref><i>b</i>, only 24 tops can be stored because of the unused space.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other variations of the embodiments described herein may also be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention. Other modifications are therefore possible.